Electric target range



Fehzs, was. RDFRENCH 2,148,612

ELECTRIC TARGET RANGE Filed Sept. 26, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 1 R. D. FRENCHELECTRIC TARGET RANGE Feb. 28, 1939.

Filed Sept. 26, 1956 Feb. 28, 1939 v R. D. FRENCH ELECTRIC TARGET RANGEFiled Sept. 26, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 M m M M W 3 R; D. FRENCH ELECTRICTARGET RANGE Feb. 28, 1939.

Filed Sept. 26, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 iieyezz M F f .itzbra c z/LsiFeb.28, 1939. R FREN H 2,148,612

' ELECTRIC TARGET RANGE Filed Sept. 26, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 /2 :7 J9 LN Feb. 28, 1939. R. D: FRENCH ELECTRIC TARGET RANGE Filed Sept. 26, 19566 Sheets-$21991; 6

Patented Feb. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC TARGET RANGEApplication September 10 Claims.

The invention relates to an improvement in electric target rifle rangesand has for one purpose the provision of such a range in which theoperator shoots at a target which is fixed at the time the operatortakes aim but which moves in response to a hit.

Another purpose is the provision of means for causing the movement ofthe target itself to indicate the score or number of hits.

Another purpose is the provision of a type of target which shall havethe appeal of novelty and sightliness and which may, for example,indicate an animal such as a squirrel, which is made to climb a tree inresponse to successive hits.

Another purpose is the provision of improved means for intermittentlymoving the target in response to a hit.

It is characteristic of the invention that the target has associatedwith it a photoelectric cell and that the operator uses a gun or thelike which projects a flash of light at the cell, the device beingactuated in response to the striking of the photoelectric cell by aflash of light from the gun aimed by the operator.

Other purposes will appear from time to time in the course of thespecification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in theaccompanyingdrawings wherem:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the entire device;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1..

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure Figure 4 is a section onthe line 4-4 of Figure Figure 5 is a fragmentary section of a part ofthe operating mechanism shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a view similar toFigure 5 illustrating the parts in a different position;

Figure 7 is a section on the line 'll of Figure 2; I

Figure 8 is a section on line 8.-8. of Figure 7; Figure 9 is, a wiringdiagram; and Figure 10 is a view of a variant form of. score indicator.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification.and. drawings.

Referring to Figure 1, the parts may be classifled into the targetassembly indicated as A, the gun or other firing means indicated as B,.and the gun stand or firingj post indicated as C.

Referring first to the target assembly, I illus- 5,5 trate. anysuitable'base or support I employed to 26, 1936, Serial No. 102,662

support the target housing 2. It will be understood that the targethousing 2 may, if desired, be hung on a wall or othermse supported, orthe parts I and 2 can be made integral.

Referring to the target structure, as shown for 5 example in Figures 2and 4, I illustrate a supporting box or base 3, herein shown as havingpositioned at the top thereof a base plate 4 which may be of metal.Mounted on an insulating block 5, positioned on the plate 4, are a pairof laterally l0 spaced rails 6 shown in the form of angles and connectedat their top by insulating blocks 7 which in turn are connected by anysuitable bracket 8. Thus the two rails 6 are positioned and spaced inrelation to each other but are effectively insulated apart. Anintermediate spacer may be employed including the brackets 9 and theconnecting insulating bar ID. The structure is further supported by twoinclined supports 1 l, the upper ends of which are secured to the blocks1, and the lower ends to supporting frames I2, the purpose of which willlater appear.

Rotatably mounted within the bracket 8 are the pulleys I3, [4 which maybe mounted for unitary movement upon a shaft IS with roller bearings I6. It will be understood that the two pulleys rotate in unison and infact are shown as an integral structure.

Mounted for movement along the rails 6 is the moving target basegenerally indicated as I! which may be of insulating material. Mountedat each corner thereof is a bracket l8, carrying a wheel l9, the wheelsl9 being flanged or grooved, as shown in Figure. 3, to engage the angles6.

' Mounted upon the base I l is any suitable bar or bracket or support 26on which ismounted the target member proper 2|, herein illustrated inthe form of a squirrel, with an aperture 22 and a tail 23 which may bepivoted as at 24 and which may be provided with a spring 25 to permit alimited oscillation or twitching of the tail when the squirrel is movedin response to a hit. Positioned on the bracket 20 is a housing 26 inwhich is held a photoelectric cell 2'! which may be provided with anysuitable lens 28. A

The housing may be mounted on the bracket 26 as by a stem 29 and locknut 30, whereby the housing may be angularly adjusted in relation to thebracket. The adjusting means may be effected by the screw threaded stem3| pivoted at its inner end to the housing as at 32 and passing at itsouter end through a sleeve 33 on a stem 34 extending outwardly from thecarriage I1. 35 are look nuts whereby the longitudinal adjustment of themember 3| in relation to the support 33 may be made. Thus the housingfor the photoelectric cell may be tilted at any desired angle, dependingupon the height of the member 2 in relation to the eye of the marksman.For instance, it might be suspended high on a wall, or it might bepositioned at or below the eye level.

Also associated with the bracket 2!! I illustrate a pointer 36 which, asshown in Figure 1, may be alined with any suitable score indicatingdevice 31 which, in Figure 1, is shown as a separate panel, painted torepresent a tree and provided with a row of vertically alined numerals,or a percentage scale as shown in Figure 10.

I illustrate also a front panel 33 in the form of a frame, which may bepainted to represent trees and the like, and an intermediate panel 39,which is cut away to form a plurality of trees along one of which thesquirrel El appears to climb. A fourth panel is illustrated as at Alland is shown in Figure 3. The four panels together serve to mask themachinery and to give the illusion of a forest of trees, one of thetress being the one climbed by the squirrel and another being the treealong which the score is indicated by the pointer 36. I illustrate alsoa hinged front 6!, with a pane of glass 42, whereby access to theinterior may be had.

Mounted on the frames 12, there being two such frames as shown in Figure'7, is a shaft 45 which rotates in any suitable ball bearings 46 in theframes l2. Secured against movement in relation to the shaft 45 is aratchet wheel 61. Loose on the shaft 45, adjacent the ratchet M, is aboss 48 associated with a lever '39 which carries a dog 5!] opposed tothe ratchet M and held in engagement therewith by a spring 59a. 5!indicates a spacing sleeve mounted on the shaft 45. I 52 indicates apulley or drum which, if a chain drive were substituted, would be in theform of a sprocket. The pulley 52 is preferably mounted upon suitableball bearings 53 as illustrated in Figure '7. 54 indicates a clutchmember secured to and rotating in unison with the drum 52. 55- is aspacer sleeve secured to the shaft 45. 55 is a movable clutch elementslidable along the shaft 45 and held against rotation in relationthereto. Associated with it is a fixed member 51, secured to the shaft45, the two being connected by interpenetrating pins 58. p 59 aresprings which tend normally to thrust the clutch member 56 in thedirection of the opposed clutch member 54.

I provide the following means for separating the clutch and freeing thedrum 52 for rotation in relation to the shaft 45. An upstanding bracket60 has pivoted to it as at 6! a lever 62 provided with a yoke 63 havinginwardly extending pins M which penetrate a circumferential slot 55 inthe clutch member 56. Controlling the lower arm of the lever 62 is arotary shaft 6? mounted in suitable bearings having a terminal cam 68 opposed to the lever 62. The shaft 6! is normally held with the cam 68 inthe position in which it is shown in Figure 7 against the adjustablestop 69 by the coil spring is which surrounds the shaft 61, one endbeing fastened to the shaft as at H and the other resting against thebase i. The means for rotating the shaft 67 will later be described.

Surrounding the drum 52 is a cable BB which is wound about the drum 52several times to insure frictional engagement and to prevent slippage.It then passes about pulleys Bi and 82 mounted beneath the base 4 on ySuitable brackets 83, and extends upwardly through any suitable aperturein the base 4, and is connected to the carriage l! as at 85. Extendingin the opposite direction from the drum 52 the cable 85] passes upwardlyover the pulley l3 and then downwardly through the loop 86 on thecarriage l'l where it may be knotted, or otherwise secured, as at 81.

The cable then continues upwardly over the pulley i l and downwardly toa counterweight 88 which is mounted to slide in the vertical tube 89which conforms closely to the diameter of the counterweight in suchfashion that the tube serves as a dash pot. A small aperture 9% permitsthe escape of air from or the entry of air into the' dash pot, andcontrols the speed of movement of the weight 83 and thus of the carriagell with the squirrel 2|. The vertical tube 89 is supported by the plate4 and adjacent the pulleys E3, M3 by a plate HLsecured to the insulatingblocks '5. The plate 9! is apertured to'permit passage therethrough ofthe cable 80.

In order to actuate the lever til I illustrate a link pivoted at itsupper end to the lever 49 and at its lower end to the solenoid plungerat which is controlled by the solenoid coil 9? which is energized inresponse to a hit of a flash of light on the photoelectric cell 21 in amanner which will below be described. It will be understood that at eachhit-the solenoid plunger 96 is depressed and the dog 55 on the lever 39rides over the ratchet 47. When the circuit through the solenoid 91 isbroken, the spring 98 draws the lever 59 back to the position in whichit is shown in Figure 2 and the dog 58 imparts rotation to the ratchetwheel 41 and thus to the shaft 45, and to the drum 52 which is normallyheld against movement in relation to the shaft 45 by the clutchmechanism above described. The pawl 99 on the frame l2, by means of anysuitable spring 990., also engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel 4'!and prevents unintended retrograde movement of the ratchet wheel, thusholding the squirrel in raised position after it has been lifted.

It will be understood that at each shot which records a hit, thesolenoid is energized for an instant and moves the lever 39 which,through the spring 98, after the solenoid is released, moves the drum 52one step, and thus lifts the squirrel 2i and its associated carriage llone step. Assume that the user scores ten successive and accurate hits,the squirrel is raised to the top of the tree with the pointer 36pointing at the number ill on the panel 31. In practice, I'find thatwith the ordinary commercial photoelectric cell, a full hit may resultin a more complete actuation, of a solenoid than a partial or borderlinehit. In other words, the better the aim of the operator, under somecircumstances, the greater the distance traveled by the target. This isa point of advantage, as placing a premium on accuracy.

Indicated at B in Figure 1 is the gun which directs a flash of light atthe target in response to each pull of its trigger N10. The details ofthe gun are not herein shown but it will be understood that the resultof the trigger pull is the release of a very brief flash of light whichmay be described as a bullet of light, the gun, of course, includes asource of light, such as the bulb NH, and a switch 12 adapted to beclosed by a pull. of the trigger [90. The energizing circuits are belowdescribed. Referring to the wiring diagram, Figure 9, a source ofoutside 110. volt current is indicated at I03, I04, although it will beunderstood that any suitable voltage may be employed and the device maybe operated on,

' direct current. However, for convenience, I illustrate it inconnection with 110 volt alternating current. I05 indicates any suitablemanually controlled-switch whereby the entire circuit may bebroken.

Referringfirst tothe mechanism in the gun I cabinet, the line I03 may betraced to the pri- "l0 mary coil I06 of the. transformer T. A connectingline I01 extends from the power line I03 to the primary coil I08 of atransformer T which supplies current of preferably lower voltage forvarious electrical parts associated with the operation of the device.The opposite end of the primary coil I08 is connected to a line I09leading to a contact point I I0 cooperating with a movable 'switchmember II I which is connected by means of a line II2 to the other powerline I04. The secondary coil II3 of the transformer T is connected bythe lines I I4 andI I5 to the rectifier R.

When the device is not in operation the switch member III. is held inopen position, the dotted line position illustrated in Figure 9, bymeans of a rack bar II6 which is part of a mechanism of a shot counterS. A detent I I1, pivoted as at IIB to the panel of the shot counter, isnormally held in engagement with the teeth of the rack bar II 6 by meansof a springI I9. Cooperating with the detent H1 is a reset magnet I20herein shown as including two electro-magnets which tact I 23, a lineI21 from the contact I24 extending to a light I21d, thence through aline I21b' to one sideof the reset magnet I20. A line I210 continuesfrom the opposite side of the reset magnet to the other power line I04.The light or bulb 121a merely serves as a voltage reducer for the resetelectro-inagnets.

I The switch member I25 closes a circuit through asolenoid 200, thefunction of which will be later described. The circuit for the solenoid200 is as I follows: A line I 28 extends from the power line I03 to thesolenoid 200 and continues by means of a line I29 to a contact memberI30 associated with the switch I25,-which in turn is connected to theother power line I04.

The reset magnet I20 when energized rotates the dog II1 out ofengagement with the teeth of I the rack bar H6 and the rack'bar is freeto be moved to the full line position of Figure 9 by a spring I3 I.'The'result is a closure of the movable switch member I I I with itsopposed contact point IIO by means of a spring I32 to close the circuitthrough the transformer T previously described. The switch members I22and I25,-are returned to their. initial position by a spring I33 as soonas the f operator releases the coin slide I2I, thus breaking thecircuits through the'reset magnets I 20 and the solenoid I50.

The switch member I22 then makes a connection between the contactmembers I34 and I35. The device is now ready for use, and the operatormay commence to shoot at the target 2I When the operator pulls thetrigger I00 of the gun B, which momentarily closes the switch I02, the

following electrical circuits are completed. One of thecircuits may betraced from the positive terminal of the rectifier R through the lineI36, the line I31, 'a slow acting magnet I38, the lines I 39, I40, tothe switch I02, thence through the line I14I to the contacts I34 andI35, closed by the switch member I22; a line I42 completes the circuitto the negative terminal of the rectifier R. In addition, a shuntcircuit is completed from the line I36 through the switch member p I43associated with the slow acting magnet I38, the line I44 leading to thesolenoid I 45 of the shot counter S, from which a line I46 extends tothe line I40 leading to the switch I02 of the gun B.

Each time the trigger I 00 is pulled, the shot counter solenoid I45moves its plunger I41 towards the left, referring to Figure 9, androtates a lever I48 counterclockwise about a pivot I49. A pawl I50,pivoted to the free end of the lever I48, in turn engages the rack barH6 and moves it towards the right the distance of one tooth against thetension of the spring I3I. The solenoid plunger further closes amultiple switch I5I, in any suitable manner, for example by means of an,abutment I 52, and closes, by means of the movable switch members I53,I54 and I55 in engagement with their respective switch contacts I51, I56and I59, the following circuits. First, holding or shunt circuits forthe shot counter solenoid I45 and for the slow acting electromagnet I38are completed through the switch member I53 in engagement with thecontact I51 by shunting the lines I60 and I6I across the lines I46 andI42, respectively, at the intersecting points I62 and I63. ingelectro-magnet I38 is from the positive terminal ofthe rectifier Rthrough the lines I36, I31, the slow acting electro-magnet I33, linesI39,

I46, intersecting point I62, line I60, contact I51, movable switchmember I53, line I6I, intersecting point I53, and the line I42 to thenegative terminal of the rectifier R. Also, the parallel connected shotcounter solenoid I45 is shunted across the power lines of the rectifierR by the switch member I53 by the switch I43, associated with theslowacting electro-magnet I38, the line I 44 leading to the shot countersolenoid I45, and the line I46 from the said shot counter solenoid,connected at the intersection point I52 to the line I50 of the contactI51.

The movable switch member I55 of the multiple switch I5I, when incontact with its cooperating contact member I59, closes electricalcircuits through a thud soundersolenoid I65 and through the transformerT for supplying power momentarily to illuminate the light source IOI inthe gun B to project aflash of light, diagrammatically indicated byarrows I65 in Figures 1 and 9, towards the photoelectric cell 21associated with the target structure previously described. The

circuit for sounding the thud sounder for producing in effect the reportof a short which may, for example, be produced by the movable plungerI61 striking a board I58, includes a line I69 connected to the mainpower line I03, the coil of the thud sounder solenoid I65, the linesI10, Hi, the movable switch I55 in engagement with the ccntact I59, thelines I12, I13, I09, contact member H0, and movable switch contact IIIand the line H2, which is connected to the other main power line I04.

The circuit through the transformer T is as follows: From the main powerline I03 through the primary winding I06 of the transformer T,

theline I14a, the movable switch member I14 in The circuit for the slowactengagement with the switch contact on the line I15, the line I1Ileading to the movable switch member I55 of the multiple switch I5I,thence through contact I59, lines I12, I13, I09, contact I I0, movableswitch member II I and line II2, to the other main power line I04. Theprimary coil I06 of the transformer by induction energizes the secondarycoil I16 and by means of the lines I11, I18 illuminates the light sourceIOI in the gun B.

The movable switch members I14 and I43 open in unison in response toactuation of the slow acting electromagnet I38, but normally are held inclosed relationship with their cooperating contacts on the lines H4, I15by means of a spring I19.

Closure of the intermediate movable switch member I54 of the multipleswitch I5I in response to actuation of the shot counter solenoid resultsin closing electrical shunt circuits for the primary windings I06 andI08 of the transformers T andT, respectively, and the thud soundersolenoid I65. However, its functions are primarily intended to beeffective after a predetermined number of shots have been fired and adescription of its purpose will later appear.

The construction of the slow acting electromagnet I38 is such as tofunction to open the switch members I43 and I14 after the shot countersolenoid I45 has completed its operation of moving the rack bar II 6 onestep. Opening of the switch member I14 breaks the circuit of thetransformer T. However, the interval between closure of the switchmember I55 of the multiple switch I5I and consecutive opening of theswitch I14 permits the gun lamp IM to project momentarily a beam oflight.

Opening of the switch member I43 breaks the electrical circuit throughthe shot counter solenoid I45 and a spring I80, interposed between thepawl I50 and any suitable abutment upon the panel of the shot counter S,returns the lever I 48 and solenoid plunger I41 to its initial position,illustrated in Figure 9. Retrograde movement of the rack bar I I6,slidably maintained in any suitable guiding bracket H64, in response tothe tension of the spring I3I, is prevented by the detent II1. Inaddition, the multiple switch E5I is returned to open position by aspring I9I.

At each consecutive trigger pull of the gun, the rack bar II6 advancesone step until, at the tenth trigger pull, assuming that the variousparts of the device are proportioned and adjusted for ten shots tocomplete a cycle of operation, the rack bar I I5 moves the movableswitch member III to the dotted line position of Figure 9 and breaks theconnection with the contact H0. The shunt connections established by theclosure of the intermediate switch member I54 of the multiple switch I5Iwith the contact I58 continue'to provide closed circuits of thetransformers T and T' and the thud sounder solenoid I65, whichpreviously had been partially closed, referring to the circuits of thetransformer T and thud sounder solenoid I65, and completely closed inreference to the transformer T by closure of the switch member III ofthe shot counter S.

The circuit of the primary winding I08 of the transformer T may now betraced from the main; power line I03 through lines I01, I09,intersecting point I82, lines I13, I83, contact I58, switch member I54,thence along the line I84 to the other main power line I04. The circuitsof the thud sounder solenoid I65 and transformer T are shunted fromtheir common line I12 connected to the contact I58 across the line I83,contact I58, switch I54 and wire I84, connected to the power line I04,until the slow acting electromagnet I38 again opens the switch membersI43 and I14, thereby breaking the circuit of the shot counter solenoidI45, causing in turn the multiple switch I5I to be opened. The device isthen rendered inoperative until the coin operated coin slide is againmanipulated.

Assuming that during the cycle of operation the operator has beensuccessful in obtaining a hit, that is to say, in hitting thephotoelectric cell 21 with a flash of light from the gun light IiiI, thesolenoid 91 in the target cabinet A is energized to raise the target 2Iand pointer 36 one step in the following manner.

The photoelectric amplifier I85 of standard construction, which may bemounted in the target cabinet 2, receives electric current from the mainpower line I03 through the line I28 connected at intersection point I86with the line I81 and the lines I88 and I89, connected to the other mainpower line I04. The switch I05 controls the circuit of the amplifierI85. The photoelectric cell 21 is connected by wires I90 and I9I withthe brackets I8 on the carriage block I1. The rollers I9 maintainelectrical connection with the rails 6. Note that a pair of rollers I9engage each rail 6 and are electrically insulated from- I in response toactuation of the photoelectric.

cell 21 when hit by a light ray. The switch in turn closes a circuitthrough the solenoid 91 from the main power line I03 through the wiresI28 connected at intersection point I96 to a line I91 leading to thecoil of the solenoid 91, thence, through wire I98, switch I95, and wiresI99, I89

to the other power line I04.

It will be seen from the above description that each time a hit isscored upon the photoelectric cell 21 a relay I94 is energized by meansof the photoelectric amplifier I85 and the solenoid 91 is actuated, andraises the target structure one step.

Referring to Figure 9, a service switch 250, interposed in the line 25I, serves to close a circuit through the reset magnets I20 of the shotcounter S. The reset mechanism, for returning the operation of thedevice for a new series of shots, is as follows:

200 indicates the coil for the reset solenoid,

with which is associated the solenoid plunger 20I I which in turn haspivoted to it a link 202 pivoted in turn as at 203 to a crank arm 204 onthe shaft 51. The crank 204 is provided with a projeotion 205 upon whichrests the lock lever 206 with its notch 201. This lever is pivoted as at208 to a bracket 209 on the base 4. Forming part of the lever 206 is theportion 2I0 upon which is mounted the trip lever 2| I. When a coin isinserted and the coin slide I2I is actuated and closes the switch I25,the solenoid coil 200 is energized and draws in the plunger 20L andthereby rotates the shaft 61. This shaft is rotated far enough for thenotch 201 of the lock lever 206 to engage the extension 205 of the crank204. The spring 2I2 then holds the parts in ttheipositionin whichtheyare shown in Figure 6'until thefalling carriage IT, by the roller 2l3,engages the trip portion 21! and lifts the lever 206, thereby releasingthe shaft 61 to be'rotated back into its initial position by thespringI0. :It will be understood'thatwhen the-reset solenoid is actuated theresult of therotation of the lever 6;! is to disengage the clutch, 56and, to permit the 'drum52 to rotate in relation to the shaft ,45,whereby the carriage 3] and the squirrel 2;! drop by gravity to theirinitial bottom position. But when-the carriage roller 2I3 engagesthetrip 2| I, thenthe shaft 61 is returned to its original position bythe spring Inland this again closes the'clutch, connection by moving themember 56 into clutching contact with the member 54, whereby the drum-52is again held against movementinrelation'to the shaft 45 and ispositioned for the step :bystep movement above de scribed. ,pIn-rFigure,4 the 'parts are shown after the resetting, with the target ready forthe first shot. In *Figure "5 the parts are illustrated. after thecarriage has started its upward movement and after th'e disengagement ofthe roller 2l3 from the'ztrip 2H has permitted the spring 2 I 2 to movethe lock lever 206 back into its initial inoperative position. Figure6illustrates the, parts after the reset solenoid :is operated and at atime when the lock 'lever 206 is'in locking position, and prior to thetime that the roller 2| 3'has struck the trip 2. It will be understoodthat the downward movement of the carriage is damped by the dash potaction between the counterweight 88 and the tube '89, whereby there isno shock or breakage.

The panels 31, 38 and 39 may be illuminated in any suitable manner,forexample, by electric light bulbs, one of which is illustrated at H5in Figure 3, which may be positioned in alinement with notches in theintermediate panel 39 at either *sideof'the cabinet 2. I It will berealized that, whereas I have described and illustrated a practical andoperative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size,shape and disposition of parts without departing'from the spiritfofmyinvention. I, therefore, wish my description and drawings to be takenas in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than aslimiting me to the precise showing. For example, instead of employing asingle target, I mayemploy two: of the devices shown, "side ,by1side,either in adjacent housings or in the same housing or cabinet, in suchfashion that two ,marksmen can simultaneously operate the device incompetition.

The use and operation of my invention is as follows Stating theoperation briefly, and without a too detailed rediscussion of thevarious parts, I lllustrate a target structure A which includes thesquirrel 2| and the pointer 36. The user points the gun beam at thetarget and tries to shoot through the hole 22 in the squirrel, therebyhitting the photoelectric cell 21 with a short flash of light. Assumingthat the parts are in initial position as shown in Figure 1 and readyfor use, each hit scored will cause the squirrel 2| to move one stepupwardly along the tree in the panel 39. If every shot is a hit, and theshot limiting means are limited to ten, ten shots will move the squirrelat or near the top of the tree, with the pointer 36opposite the numerall0. Then, at the tenth shot, in accordance with the mode of operationearlier described, the device is cut off from further operation untilthe coin operated switches I22 and I25 are again closed by manipulationof the .coin slide l2|.

Where I employ two associated target devices, for competitive shooting,the earlier described feature whereby the moreaccurate the hit thegreater the distance traveled is very advantageous. Both competitors'maymake ten hits, but in that case the competitor who most accuratelycenters his shots will move. his target farther or higher.

Assuming that the user inserts a coin and operates the switch I25,thenthe reset solenoid 200 is energiz d andthe drum 52 is permitted torotate on the shaft 45. The carriage l1 and the squirrel 2! then movegravitally to their initial positionat the botom, their drop beingdamped by the dash pot 83, 89. When the carriage l'l approaches itsbottom posiion, the roller 2l3 strikes the trip 2H and thereby theclutch connection between the drum 52 and the shaft 45 is re-engaged andthe device is ready for further operation. At the same time, the closureof the coin operated switch I22 provides energy for the bulb lfll sothat the circuit is ready whereby the operator cancenergize the bulb IOIin response to the pull of the trigger I00 and the closure of the gunswitch Hi2. By the operation of the structure already described, eachtrigger pull operates the shot limit mechanism in such fashion that atthe tenth trigger pull the device is again put out of use, awaiting theinsertion of a further nickel.

a matter of convenience, the conductive connections between the :gun Band the gun stand (3, and between the gun stand C and the target A areflexible cables D and E as shown in Figure '1. Thus the gun stand orfiring post can be moved in "relation to the target, or the target canbe shifted without shifting the gun stand. The gun itself is under thecomplete control of the operator and can be aimed just as of it were notconnectedto the rest of the structure. An additional cable F from thegun stand C may contain the main power lines, referred to in theelectric diagram of Figure 9 as the power lines 103 and 104.

I claim:

' 1. A target'apparatus comprising a target element, at photosensitivecell movable with the target element, means for guiding said targetelement along a'generallyupward path, a flexible driving "cable for saidtarget element, a drive shaft,'a drum :thereon'about which said flexiblecable ipass'es, 1a iclutch fconnection between said shaft ."and'drum,:means for rotating said shaft in response to the hit of a flashof light against said cell, clutch means effective normally to causesaid drum to move in unison with said shaft, means for declutching saidclutch means whereby to cause a return of the target element toinitialposition, and means responsive to the return of the targetelement toward initial position for reclutching said clutch means.

2. A target apparatus comprising a target element, a photosensitive cellmovable with the target element, means for guiding said target elementalong a generally upward path, a flexible driving cable for said targetelement, a drive shaft, a drum thereon about which said flexible cablepasses, a clutch connection between said shaft and drum, means forrotating said shaft in response to the hit of a flash of light againstsaid cell, clutch means effective normally to cause said drum to move inunison with said shaft, means for declutching said clutch means wherebyto cause a return of the target element to initial position, meansresponsive to the return of the target element toward initial positionfor reclutching said clutch means, means for rotating said shaftincluding a solenoid, and means for energizing said solenoid in responseto the hit of a flash of light against said cell.

3. A target apparatus comprising a base, a carriage, means for guidingit along a predetermined. path, said carriage being normally at restwhen shot at, an indicator member associated with said carriage, andmovable unitarily therewith, motor means for said carriage mounted onsaid base, a photosensitive cell, an actuating circuit including saidphotosensitive cell and said motor means, and means for causing saidmotor means to move said carriage along said guiding means when saidcell is struck by a flash of light.

4. A target apparatus comprising a base, a carriage, means for guidingit along a predetermined path, said carriage being normally at rest whenshot at, an indicator member associated with said carriage, and movableunitarily therewith, motor means for said carriage mounted on said base,a photosensitive cell, an actuating circuit including saidphotosensitive cell and said motor means, and means for causing saidmotor means to move said carriage along said guiding means when saidcell is struck by a flash of light, said photosensitive cell beingmounted on and movable unitarily with said carriage.

5. A target apparatus comprising a base, a carriage, means for guidingit along a predetermined path, said carriage being normally at rest whenshot at, an indicator member associated with said carriage, and movableunitarily therewith, motor means for said carriage mounted on said'base,a photosensitive cell, an actuating circuit including saidphotosensitive cell and said motor means, and means for causing saidmotor means to move said carriage along said guiding means when saidcell is struck by a flash of light, said motor means including asolenoid controlled by said actuating circuit.

6. A target apparatus comprising a base, a carriage, means for guidingit along a predetermined path, said carriage being normally at rest whenshot at, an indicator member associated with said carriage and movableunitarily therewith, motor means for said carriage mounted on said base,a photosensitive cell, an actuating circuit including saidphotosensitive cell and said motor means, means for causing said motormeans to move said carriage along said guiding means when said cell isstruck by a flash of light,

a coin controlled switch, and means, effective when said switch isactuated, for returning said carriage along its path to a predeterminedinitial position.

7. A target apparatus comprising a base, a target element, aphotosensitive cell movable with the target element, means for guidingsaid target element along a generally upward path, a motor mounted onsaid base, a driving connection between said motor and said targetelement, means for actuating said motor intermittently in response tothe hit of a flash of light against said cell, whereby to move saidtarget element a predetermined distance in response to each hit, andmeans for returning said target element to initial position.

8. A target apparatus comprising a base, a target element, aphotosensitive cell movable with the target element, means for guidingsaid target element along a generally upward path, a motor means on saidbase, means for actuating said motor means intermittently in response tothe hit of a flash of light against said cell and for thereby movingsaid target element upwardly a predetermined distance in response toeach hit, and means for returning said target element to initialposition.

9. A target apparatus comprising a base, a target element, aphotosensitive cell movable with the target element, means for guidingsaid target element along a generally upward path, a motor mounted onsaid base, a driving connection between said motor and said targetelement, means for actuating said motor intermittently in response tothe hit of a flash of light against said cell, whereby to move saidtarget element a predetermined distance in response to each hit, andmeans for returning said target element to initial position, includingmeans for breaking the driving connection between the motor and thetarget element.

10. A target apparatus comprising a base, a target element, aphotosensitive cell movable with the target element, means for guidingsaid target element along a generally upward path, a motor mounted onsaid base, said motor being normally inoperative, a driving connectionbetween said motor and said target element, means for actuating saidmotor intermittently in response to the hit of a flash of light againstsaid cell, whereby to move said target element a predetermined distancein response to each hit, and means for returning said target element toinitial position.

REGINALD D. FRENCH.

